Facing a two-goal deficit for the second time in four days, Gary Owers watched his Bath City side trudge down the Twerton Park tunnel at half-time and saw a team that had thrown in the towel.

The 5-2 derby defeat to Chippenham Town – the first time the local rivals had faced off in a competitive game for ten years – was a brutal evening in front of a bumper four-figure crowd at Twerton Park.

Two old boys haunted the Romans, Dave Pratt a menacing figure running in behind a below-par defence and scoring a header, with wily old strike partner Andy Sandell netting two of his own.

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After the game, Owers kept his players locked in the dressing room for a good 20 minutes after the final whistle, where he told them some "home truths".

"I'm always honest, I was as a player," he said. "I just told them that I had a career and tried my best.

"I didn't see any effort tonight, I think they threw the towel in. I look at Chippenham's team and they looked like a team that came here and believed it could win.

"I watched my team walk off the pitch at half-time and they looked defeated. I stood there deliberately to watch, because I've seen it before.

"I see all the telltale signs because I've been through it myself. They know it's up to them now, sink or swim. I told them if anyone can't take the way I am or what I want to do they can go.

"It's not a bad reaction, I just haven't seen enough in two games that represents what I want to do this season at this club."

Nat Jarvis comes in for a sliding challenge (Image: Simon Howe)

Over 1,200 supporters, including a healthy batch from Chippenham, had come through the turnstiles and Owers was quick to say sorry for what the home contingent had to witness when he took questions post-match.

"We were totally outplayed and outfought in every department," he said.

"The first thing I need to do is apologise to the supporters because they've turned up tonight proud of the club that they own, expecting us to put on a performance in a local derby, which I fully expected and we didn't get.